son seals

appearing on stage at 8:15 p.m.

"If you really want to do something that’s worth something," says Frank "Son" Seals, "you’ve got to give it your all. I try to do that every time I play." And that’s just what Son Seals will do for you as the headline act on October 26. Son’s reputation as a fierce live performer has taken him from playing the smoky, off-the-beaten-path clubs to basking front and center in the spotlight of some of the most prestigious stages all over the world.

Son was born in Osceola, Arkansas in 1942 and was immediately immersed into the blues. His multi-talented father, Jim Seals, an adept guitarist, drummer, trombonist and pianist headed his family. The elder Seals was the proprietor of the Dipsy Doodle, a roadhouse "juke joint" famous for blues in the front, dice in the back that doubled as the family’s home. Regular fixtures such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Albert King and Robert Nighthawk would play within earshot of Son’s bed. But even with all the great bluesmen around the house, Jim Seals remained his son’s biggest inspiration. Jim wanted Son to learn to play music the right way and instilled in him the musical ethic and disciple he carries with him today.

Son recalls, "My father taught me everything from the start. Tuning the guitar, fingering. Where I wanted to be riffling around all up and down the neck right away, he’d keep me on one chord for hours, until I could feel it in my sleep. I’d get up the next morning, grab the guitar and I’d be right on that chord." By the time he was 13, he was playing drums as well as working on his signature guitar style with the musicians at his father’s club.

Before he was of legal age, he was touring regularly and recognized as a real talent. In 1959, he formed Son Seals and the Upsetters and traveled around tearing up the blues taverns that dotted Arkansas. Many of the established artists took Son under their wings and by the mid ‘60s, he was touring the country with Earl Hooker and Albert King. In 1971, like so many of his fellow bluesmen, Son made the move north to blue mecca Chicago to expand his musical horizons. He immediately hooked up with the likes of Junior Wells, Lefty Dizz and Magic Slim dazzling blues fans at some very reputable blues joints.

Seals released his debut album, The Son Seals Blues Band, in 1973 on Alligator Records, the then fledging label’s third release ever. This recording established him as a blasting, original blues artist. Son’s audience base grew as he did extensive tours playing colleges, clubs and festivals throughout the country. For the next two decades, he toured Europe, firmly placing him as a staple in the big blues world.

When Son sings and plays, you can feel the passion, the grit and above all else, the deep emotion embedded in his music. He reaches into the depths of his soul and pulls up powerful raw expressions rarely seen. Son usually sticks close to home, playing Chicago’s premier blues clubs, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of the most profound and powerful performers today. Word of Mouth Productions could not be more pleased that the festival day will fittingly set with a knock out performance of searing intensity by the brilliant, spectacular Son Seals.